Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says he was surprised by Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari, and suggests the move was driven by ego on the part of the Italian manufacturer.
Last summer, Hamilton extended his long-standing allegiance to Mercedes for an additional two years.
However, the seven-time world champion underwent a change of heart over the winter, perhaps frustrated by the lacklustre end to the team’s 2023 campaign and its continued inability to master F1’s ground effect regulations.
An underlying option in Hamilton’s contract and which the Briton duly exercised allowed for the termination of his agreement with Mercedes at the end of 2024, and his effective transfer to the Scuderia for next season.
Ecclestone admitted that he was taken aback by Hamilton’s choice to part ways with Mercedes.
“It was a strange, strange move to make," the 93-year-old told RacingNews365. “Toto has relied on him an awful lot more, and they've become close for selfish reasons - both of them.
“I don't think there was ever a sort of a relationship where you could rely on both parties. There obviously wasn't because that's why he [Hamilton] suddenly decided to leave."
But beyond the surprising decision, Ecclestone was also stunned by the timing of the announcement, which occurred just a week before the start of the 2024 F1 season.
“Big surprise, in as far as I didn't understand why he did it, given the year's notice basically,” commented Mr. E. “Why didn't he wait until later on during the season?”
“People thought they'd done a clever deal in taking him, but I think it's a bit of an ego thing that he got latched into it all,” Ecclestone added.
“Fred [Vasseur] knew him from their early days, and I think John Elkhann at Ferrari, from his point of view, it was a bit of an ego thing that he's managed to capture one of the leading Formula 1 drivers - the best Formula 1 driver, in many people's opinion.
“These things happen. Just a whole set of circumstances that come together.”
Interestingly, the former Brabham F1 team owner suggested that he wouldn’t welcome a driver like Hamilton into his team due to the Briton’s perceived demanding nature.
“Too much of a handful - an unnecessary handful," said Ecclestone. “He really sort of commands a little at Mercedes. Toto has let him be like that, to keep him on board and keep him happy.
“But I never had that with the drivers. They're still good, good friends of mine, genuine friends, not for finance or whatever. Good friends.
“I'd rather have that sort of relationship rather than the fact I jump when somebody says jump, or defend a situation. If I wanted to do something, I'd do it if I thought it was the right thing to do.”
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